Andaman Tourism Opens: The Andaman & Nicobar administration has announced that all tourist spots in the South Andaman district will be opened for tourism activities with immediate effect 8 Feb 2022.
The tourists are allowed to visit Baratang/North & Middle Andaman on production of double dose covid certificate/ All other passengers viz. unvaccinated and partially vaccinated passengers (those who have taken only 1S1 dose of COVID vaccine) shall have to produce RT-PCR negative test report
General Guidelines defined for traveling to Andaman Islands during COVID :
What are the guidelines for testing for tourists coming to Andaman after August 03 2021?
On arrival at Port Blair :
1. The tourists need to carry COVID-19 negative test report from mainland based 1CMR approved lab using Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RTPCR). However, the sample for RTPCR test should have been taken within 48 hours prior to starting the journey from the origin station. (For e.g. if the tourist takes a flight from Delhi at 0600 hrs. on 1st September, 2021, the sample for RTPCR test should have been taken not before 0600 hrs. on 30th August, 2021).
2. The tourists/visitors on arrival at Port Blair airport have to undergo mandatory Covid-19 screening with RTPCR test free of cost. Thereafter the tourists/visitors are allowed to move to their respective hotels. However, they will have to be under quarantine at Port Blair in their hotel rooms until the result of RTPCR tests are received. In case of RTPCR positive test results, the tourists/visitors shall remain in
institutional quarantine in hotels notified by the Hoteliers Association in consent with the A&N Administration, on rates as specified or to the designated hospital/ Covid-19 care centre on case-to-case basis.
3. Tourists may also have to undergo random Rapid Antigen Test conducted from time to time on payment basis as prescribed by A8N Administration.
What if the tourists test positive after arriving at the Andaman Islands?
If the tourists tests positive during their stay in the Islands, he/she will need to undergo institutional isolation as per existing health protocols. The
cost of such isolation for govt. facility will be paid by the tourists as fixed by the administration from time to time.
If the patient wants to stay at hotels, he/she can stay in the hotels if all the conditions below are met:
a) Patients are not symptomatic and not more than 60 years old.
b) Request/ undertaking is made by patient in writing.
c)lf allowed by doctors.
Hotels will make necessary arrangements to designate a part of their rooms for institutional isolation for this purpose.
Located in the Wandoor village at a distance of 29 kilometres from Port Blair, the capital city of Andaman, this park is home to 15 charming islands exhibiting the most exotic marine life. The park has an area of 281 square kilometres encompassed by peaceful beaches, coral reefs, lush mangrove covers, rainforests, and lagoons which brings in an aesthetic feel. The Mahatma Gandhi National Park was established in 1983 to conserve the marine ecosystem including biodiversity, tropical forest, mangrove, coral reefs and fauna. It is entirely a no-plastic zone. It was brought upon under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, to preserve coral reefs and sea turtles. Both of the islands- Red Skin and Jolly Buoy have a kinship to the Rutland Archipelago.
Getting There
The beautiful Wandoor beach is situated at Mahatma Gandhi marine national park, around 30 km from Port Blair. For travelling to the jolly buoy and Red skin islands, people have to reach this place by road and board the ship (port charter boats). The giant aqua park is in Wandoor which is about 30kms from Port Blair. Public and private buses plying at regular intervals serve as the best option for a budget traveller between 6 am to 8 pm. The Department of Information, Publicity and Tourism Andaman and Nicobar Islands also provides excellent bus service specifically for this Marine Park. The closest airport is at Port Blair.
Be There Do That
This Marine Park comprises 15 small and large islands and an open sea. The coral reefs growing around the islands attract not only tourists but also scientists and researchers from all over the world. Visitors can view some of the rarest corals which include the likes of Acropora, Pacillopora, Montipora, Leptoseris and Other marine animals like Starfishes through glass boom boats.
While You're There
Closing Statement
Tucked away from the hustle-bustle and busy streets, the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park is a dream-like spot in the Andamans. If your idea of paradise is serene and postcard-perfect landscape, then this park is the answer to all your prayers. With its gorgeous vistas and stunning marine culture, it is indeed the perfect place to whisk you away for a vacation.
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